Agreement in principle accepted for Notre-Dame-des-Neiges Cemetery

An agreement in principle has been accepted between the operations union and the Notre-Dame-des-Neiges Cemetery, to end a labour dispute that has been ongoing since January.

The new collective agreement will expire December 31, 2027.

Quebec Labour Minister Jean Boulet tweeting out the news on Thursday afternoon.

“Congratulations to the parties for the agreement in principle accepted at 83 per cent for the employees of the general unit of the Notre-Dame-des-Neiges cemetery. I salute the commitment of the conciliators. The resumption of activities at the cemetery will make it possible to meet the needs of bereaved families.”

On Monday, Boulet had spoken with the union and employer of the cemetery, proposing to have an independent arbitrator intervene in the labour dispute. He had said that If both parties agreed to the proposition within the next 48 hours, it would soon may soon put an end to the conflict once and for all.

The Confédération des syndicats nationaux confirmed that its members will be back on the job Monday, July 17.

More than 300 bodies are currently in cold storage, waiting to be buried.

“Many families have suffered for several months because they’ve been unable to complete their mourning or access the Cemetery to visit a loved one. We’re well aware of this and sincerely apologize for this situation,” said Fabrique de la paroisse Notre-Dame de Montréal on the cemetery’s website on Thursday, adding that they are satisfied with the decision of the operations union.

“The operations staff will be back at work July 17, 2023, focusing primarily on cleaning up the grounds and addressing specific operational needs. This work will be carried out diligently over the coming weeks so that the site can once again be safely opened to the families of the deceased and visitors.”

Félicitations aux parties pour l’entente de principe acceptée à 83 % pour les employés de l’unité générale du cimetière NDN. Je salue l’engagement des conciliateurs du @Mtrav. La reprise des activités au cimetière permettra de répondre aux besoins des familles endeuillées.@laCSN

— Jean Boulet (@JeanBoulet10) July 13, 2023

BACKGROUND:

• Notre-Dame-des-Neiges Cemetery agreement rejected by union members, strike continues
• Notre-Dame-des-Neiges Cemetery agreement vote postponed
• Notre-Dame-des-Neiges Cemetery tentative agreement reached, but will remain closed for Father’s Day
• Gates of Notre-Dame-des-Neiges Cemetery remain closed, families left unable to grieve loved ones
• Visitors unhappy with state of Notre-Dame-des-Neiges Cemetery on Mother’s Day
• Montrealers sidestepping fallen branches, damaging secondary trails on Mount Royal

“In the wake of this agreement, we’ll gradually be contacting the families waiting for in-ground burials to book appointments and plan the necessary arrangements. We sincerely apologize for the difficult conditions that have impacted many bereaved families in recent months. We will do our utmost to enable them to complete their mourning in the best possible conditions. We’ll also continue to offer cremation and burial services in crypts and mausoleums,” says Michel St-Amour, volunteer director.

A tentative agreement had previously been reached June 15 to end the workers’ strike, but eventually fell through.

In a press release, the CSN union representing the Montreal cemetery workers, had said at the time that the members rejected the conciliator’s recommendations and the return-to-work protocol.

“The workers decided to continue the strike they have been waging for several months, and will continue the battle for better working conditions,” the statement read at the time.

-With files from The Canadian Press